• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to footer

ZigZagonEarth

Plan unforgettable road trips!

  • FRANCE
    • CORSICA
    • NORMANDY
    • PARIS
  • EUROPE
    • ANDALUCIA
    • CANARY ISLANDS
    • CRETE
    • ICELAND
    • ICELAND WINTER
    • MADEIRA
    • MALLORCA
    • PORTUGAL
    • SANTORINI
    • SCOTLAND
    • SLOVENIA
  • REST OF WORLD
    • NEW ZEALAND
    • OMAN
  • TIPS
  • EBOOKS
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT

Haast Blue Pools Wanaka (New Zealand) – Tips + photos

Last updated on December 27, 2019 By Claire, the Travel Planning Geek

Forest walk, swing bridge and azure rivers... the Haast Blue Pools walk near Wanaka, New Zealand, is a great short walk on your way to (or from) the West coast. Below is my guide to help you plan your visit with some photos for inspiration.

Haast Blue Pools Wanaka New Zealand Travel
Quick Navigation
Why visit the Haast Blue Pools?
Planning Tips - Haast Blue Pools New Zealand
Haast Blue Pools Walk - Difficulty 
The color of the Blue Pools Wanaka 
Walk through the forest
Haast Pass Blue Pools in photos
Further stops on the Haast Pass Drive

Navigate back to the complete New Zealand Travel Guide

Share0
Tweet0
Pin0

This article may contain affiliate Links (info on the Disclosure page). If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you.


Why visit the Haast Blue Pools?

The Haast Blue Pools walk is a short walk at the beginning of the Haast valley which connects Wanaka to the West coast and its glaciers.
It is very easy to stop and complete the track mostly on boardwalks.
Through the forest, you reach 2 swing bridges over the rivers.

Why visit the Haast Blue Pools 1

The Blue Pools are where the Makorora river and the Blue River meet. Deep pools of azure water fed by glaciers have formed.
There, the water is so clear that you can see the bottom of the riverbed. And you may see brown trouts swimming around.

Why visit the Haast Blue Pools 2

Haast Blue Pools Walk in video

Below is a short video of the walk and what you could see.


Planning Tips - Haast Blue Pools New Zealand

How to get to the Haast Blue Pools - location

  • On South Island, North of Wanaka
  • Easy drive, stop along the Haast Pass - Makarora Road (Road 6)
  • Wanaka to Blue Pools walk's carpark = 1h drive
  • Fox Glacier to Blue Pools carpark = 2h20 drive
  • The carpark is clearly indicated.
  • Only accessible by car
Haast Blue Pools Walk carpark

Haast Blue Pools Walk carpark

The Haast Blue Pools Walk is included in my eBook that help you plan an unforgettable road trip in NZ!

New Zealand road trip eBook Cover S

Plan your perfect trip to New Zealand!

  • 12 easy-to-plan Maps
  • 200 scenic locations in NZ 
  • Tips to plan + make the most of your time
  • 285+ large photos to decide where to go
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

LEARN MORE

Completing the walk

  • 20min walk one way to the 2nd swing bridge (1.5km return)
  • Slightly uphill as you return
  • You can keep walking to the Young River Mouth (1.5 to 2h for 7km)
  • It is a place that sandflies love, so I recommend wearing long sleeves and trousers
  • The Haast pass road does not have any toilets at any of the stops. The last ones from the mountains are in Makaroa, and from the Coast they are at Haast village

Planning to rent a car in New Zealand? Check out the local company Snap Rentals

 I selected it myself and paid my rental in full. 

  • They were very nice and responsive, they pick you up and drop you off at the airport
  • The car I rented was in perfect condition
  •  In addition, they have all-inclusive insurance packages with AAA roadside assistance, which means I didn't have to worry (I think it's worth the price)

Check out the cars and prices

Can you swim there?

  • I have not seen any signs that it is forbidden. But read all the signs to make sure it has not changed.
  • However there was a sign 'Please refrain from fishing'
  • I have read articles where people have jumped from the swing bridge. Please be mindful of other tourists and be respectful.
  • Note that the water temperature is really cold since it comes from snow / glacier

Where to stay

  • To stay nearby, you can find a few options at the small village of Makarora - see options
  • Otherwise, there is plenty of accommodations in the Lake town of Wanaka - see the best rated options

Haast Blue Pools Walk - Difficulty 

Haast Blue Pools Walk Map

At the beginning of the walk you can see a map with the explanatory board.
You won't get lost, the track is really clear.

Haast Blue Pools Walk - map

Haast Blue Pools track - state

The track is really well maintained : sometimes gravel, but mostly board walk.

Haast Blue Pools Walk - difficulty 1
Haast Blue Pools Walk - difficulty 2

You have 2 swing bridges to cross with a few stairs.  They feel quite stable.
The most difficult part can be to cross people on those swing bridges if there is a large group traveling at the same time as you.
Below are a few pictures to give you a feel for the walk.

Haast Blue Pools Walk - suspended bridge 1
Haast Blue Pools Walk - suspended bridge 2
Haast Blue Pools Walk - difficulty 3
Haast Blue Pools Walk - end

The color of the Blue Pools Wanaka 

The source of the Makarora River is high in the mountains of Mount Aspiring National Park.
The water flows down and is cleared through the rocks making it transparent. After the Blue Pools it continues to Lake Wanaka.
Where the Makarora River meets the Blue River, it created a deep pool under the bridge.

color of the Blue Pools Wanaka 1

And the color...
The pools can be azure blue, which is what they are famous for.
However the color depends on the conditions:

  • The blue color is the result of light reflection on the snow icy cold water.
  • Cloud coverage and direction of the sun can have an impact on the reflected color
  • Weather conditions upstream also have an impact: depending on the rush of water, more or less gravel is transported, changing the color
  • If the rivers are in flood, gravel may be transported and stuck in the pool so they may look brown

When I visited they were more emerald than blue. 

color of the Blue Pools Wanaka 2

Walk through the forest

The first part of the walk is through the forest.
This was not my favorite forest walk in New Zealand (I had some wonderful ones at the Cathedral Caves and Lake Gunn for example). But it is still a pleasure to admire nature.
According to the sign, it is an 'open canopied Silver Beech/Tahina forest".

Forest walk to the Haast pass Blue pools 1
Forest walk to the Haast pass Blue pools 2
Forest walk to the Haast pass Blue pools 3

It was not my favorite forest walk in NZ, but I found there one of my favorite trees in NZ. Do you love it too?

Forest walk to the Haast pass Blue pools 4

Haast Pass Blue Pools in photos

And below are a few more pictures to help you decide if you want to stop for this walk.

From the first bridge

Haast Blue Pools - picture 1
Haast Blue Pools - picture 2

Around the second bridge

Haast Blue Pools - picture 3
Haast Blue Pools - picture 4
Haast Blue Pools - picture 5
Haast Blue Pools - picture 6

Note: On the small 'beach" area, was where the flies were the most present... but it was still worth getting to water level ๐Ÿ™‚

Haast Blue Pools - picture 7

Further stops on the Haast Pass Drive

If you keep driving towards the West Coast or come from the West Coast.
There are other stops worth considering along the way, mostly lookout and waterfalls such as Fantail, Roaring Billy and Thunder Creek. 
Experiences can vary greatly depending the water levels.

Haast pass road - Fantail waterfall

Fantail Falls

Haast pass road - Fantail waterfall

Driving Haast Pass Road

Haast pass road - Roaring Billy

Roaring Billy Waterfall 

Haast pass road - Thunder Creek

Thunder Creek

You can find all my favorite stops in my eBooks, with GPS coordinates and practical map to help you plan an epic NZ itinerary!

Be overwhelm by the beauty, not the planning!

New Zealand road trip eBook Cover S
  • 12 easy-to-plan Maps
  • 200 scenic locations in NZ 
  • Tips to plan + make the most of your time
  • 285+ large photos to decide where to go
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

Learn more

Skip to main contentSkip to toolbar About WordPress ZigZag On Earth 76 Plugin Updates, 1 Theme Update 3939 comments awaiting moderation New SEO Howdy, Claire, the Travel Planning Geek Log Out Help Genesis 2.9.1 is available. Check out what's new or update now. Media Library Add New List View Grid ViewFilter by typeFilter by dateBulk SelectSearch Media Search media items... Thank you for creating with WordPress. Version 5.1.1 Close media panel Edit previous media itemEdit next media item Attachment Details Edit Image File name: NZ-South-island-eBook-Cover-S.jpg File type: image/jpeg Uploaded on: April 15, 2019 File size: 77 KB Dimensions: 300 by 225 pixels URL http://www.zigzagonearth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/NZ-South-island-eBook-Cover-S.jpg Title NZ South island eBook Cover S Caption Alt Text Description Uploaded ByClaire, the Travel Planning Geek Smush 2 images reduced by 6.1 KB ( 22.2% ) Image Size: 77.3 KB View Stats View attachment page | Edit more details | Delete Permanently
  • 6 easy-to-plan Maps
  • 110+ scenic locations in NZ South Island
  • Tips to plan + make the most of your time
  • 190+ large photos to decide where to go
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

Learn more


Want to see more of NEW ZEALAND?

PREVIOUS: 

Hooker valley track hike to glacier lake

NEXT: 

Fox or Franz Josef glaciers - Which to visit?

Tourism New Zealand Travel Guide

What color will you see?

Share0
Tweet0
Pin0

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

Waipapa Point lighthouse (New Zealand) – Tips + Photos
Read More 
Nugget point Lighthouse (Catlins NZ) – walk +tips + photos
Read More 
Haast Blue Pools Wanaka (New Zealand) – Tips + photos
Read More 
Elephant Rocks (Oamaru, New Zealand): Tips, Map, Photos
Read More 
Haast Blue Pools Wanaka New Zealand Travel Pin
Haast Blue Pools Wanaka New Zealand Travel Pin2
Share0
Tweet0
Pin0

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

CONTACT ME

Search

Follow ZigZag on Facebook

Follow ZigZag on Pinterest

Website in French: ZigZagvoyages.fr

Website in German: ZigZagreisen.de

Website in Spanish: ZigZagviajes.com

And discover the French regions:

Normandielovers.fr

LoireLovers.fr

CorsicaLovers.fr

 

Privacy / Terms of Use / Disclosure Policies / Refund policy

Become an affiliate for the ZigZag road trip guides

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. ZigZagOnEarth.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.uk and Amazon.ca

Copyright © 2023 ZigZag On Earth ยท Log in